by Grey, Chloe
Jose approached came into work just before the lunch hour. Their schedules often overlapped during the week. He was curious whether Jose knew more than he let on when he had first told him about the job. The last thing he had wanted was a position as a chop shop mechanic. Tearing down stolen cars rather than fixing them for their rightful owners? It wasn’t an attractive prospect, even for the high pay.
“You want to work in a burger joint, Chase?” That was Jose’s question when he asked about what happened late at night at the shop. “Because I’m telling you, you’ll make shit.”
Jose took a long swig from his coffee mug and put his feet up on the small coffee table in the staff lounge. He was wearing his scuffed steel-toed boots, but the laces were undone. His shift wasn’t to start for another twenty minutes.
“I’m telling you, this job is great. You already know I’ve been working there for over a year. My buddy David hooked you up. Your own mom is married to the owner. What else do you need to know?”
“I just don’t want to end up paying for being in the dark, is all.” Chase retorted. He flopped down on the armchair in the room. “I wish you would have been straight up with me, man.”
“Oh, come on. You would have been hunting for work all summer if you didn’t get this gig. Or worse, flipping burgers or putting out someone’s trash.”
“Maybe so, but I wouldn’t stand the chance of a prison term, just for being guilty by association.”
“You need to think things through, man. Maybe you should go talk to your mom—” When Chase didn’t reply, he continued. “Look, I see where you’re coming from. You don’t want to do something illegal. I don’t blame you. But in your case…” Jose shook his head. “Sometimes beggars can’t be choosers. Working here isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty fucking close. Besides, what other choice do you have? Think about it. The people are great. It pays well. All you have to know is to do what’s asked of you and if you see anything weird, you keep your mouth shut.”
“So it’s a chop shop at night, then.”
“You’re missing the point. Think about the income.”
“Not everything’s about money, Jose.”
“Come tell me that when you have none.” Jose stood up from his chair. “Anyway. I gotta start my shift. Talk to your mom.”
If Chase had to confront her for the truth, he would. He needed to know.
***
A voice startled Chase when he was working on a car the next day.
“Hey! Sorry to surprise you, dude.” Oliver, one of the other mechanics, smiled at him. “David isn’t here today. He told me to see how you were doing.”
Oliver appeared to be middle-aged, with light brown hair and a handlebar mustache.
“No problem,” Chase answered.
“How long have you been working on cars?”
“I think I was ten when I undid my first bolt.” Chase shrugged. “Cars were one of the few things Dad and I could bond over, so I made the most of it. Now it’s just something I enjoy doing.”
“We can always use good mechanics, and David is talking about getting you trained up. That way, if anything does happen to the shop, you’ll be able to move on to somewhere else.”
“What do you mean? What could happen to the shop?”
Oliver looked between Chase and the car. “Keep working hard,” he said, not answering his question, “and no one will want you to leave. Even after the summer ends, there can be a place for you here.”
“I can’t stay any longer than that. It’ll be too intense at school.”
“You only want a summer job? Well don’t think too much about it, then.”
“Cool.” Chase decided to take the direct approach. “So what happens here late at night?”
Oliver smoothed his thick, calloused fingers down his mustache. “Only worry about that if you want to work here long term.”
“Okay.” Chase sighed heavily.
Oliver crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re lucky with David. He won’t push if you decide to leave, but keep asking questions about what happens at night, and those above him might not let you. Don’t forget that, buddy. They don’t like it when people leave. And they like you even less when you go sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. You may have to disappear if you push too hard, so be prepared.”
The hair on Chase’s neck stood on edge. “I guess as long as I don’t end up dead.”
Oliver shook his head, and paused as if deep in thought. “I never knew anybody who worked here and ended up dead. They might if they talk to the wrong person…but I know you’re not that stupid. Right?”
“Yeah. Right.”
“Now, come on.” Oliver gestured toward the other side of the garage. “I need your help installing this new transmission.”
Chase loved fixing cars. He wished he could push all of those thoughts aside. He had to. Pushing back the anxiety from his mind, he got to work.
One of the things he had noticed was how strong he was becoming. Oliver was having problems with his back that day, so Chase was able to carry most of the weight. Together, they worked until sweat beaded on their skin. The heat of the day was a little overwhelming, but the industrial sized fans helped cool them off. While the car was lifted in the air, they used a heavy-duty jack to lift the new transmission into place. Chase let out a grunt as he jostled the thing into the empty space beside the engine.
“If you get it into place, I’ll go underneath and bolt it in,” Oliver said. He was already reaching behind to rub his lower back.
Once Chase was finished positioning it, he held it in place while Oliver grabbed his socket wrench and inserted all the bolts.
A while later, both men looked up at their work. Oliver nodded, pleased. “We make a good team.” He clapped the younger man on the shoulder. “Great job, buddy.”
***
Chase sent Meaghan a text message, telling her that he’d have to work until seven thirty. Oliver had told him they were short-staffed that evening, and there was a big job they needed to finish for a customer.
He had no doubt now that the place was a chop shop. From what Jose and Oliver had said—and from what they had not said—it was clear. Now that he knew, all he needed to do was make sure Meaghan never found out.
He hated lying to her, but he saw it as his only option. Telling her anything would lead to questions, and before long she’d end up knowing too much. He knew a lot about lying from his dad. Lying could become complicated. This lie was a simple one—a lie he could handle, and one for Meaghan’s own good. Even so, the guilt didn’t let up.
His father had often lied about where he’d been, when it was obvious he was out drinking. Dad had turned lying into an art form. Am I becoming my father? He asked himself, and shuddered at the thought.
He stared at the text he’d just sent, not expecting a reply until later. Meaghan was probably working. Even so, knowing why she wasn’t replying didn’t make waiting any easier. He kept imagining she was tied up at work, or hiding something from him. It drove him crazy.
After working all day, Chase felt like he’d accomplished something. He drove right home and cleaned up as soon as he got in. Meaghan wasn’t home yet, so he stretched out on his bed and thought about his job. It was almost perfect—but that little part about what happened there late at night, well, it wasn’t so little.
His body aching, he forced himself off the mattress. The best way to take his mind off it, and to not start worrying about Meaghan, was to have some dinner and relax. There was pasta leftovers in the fridge, so he warmed it up and had it all. He realized they had to go food shopping. He dug through the cupboards, made a quick shopping list, and tucked it into his pocket.
His phone buzzed. It was a text message from Meaghan. She was finishing up and would be home soon. All of a sudden he thought about what he was keeping from her. It’s not that big of a lie, he tried to rationalize it, but the guilt refused to leave him.
A lump rose in his throat, and h
e found himself wanting to phone her and tell her everything. She was his best friend, and the woman he loved more than anything. He tried to forget about it. He pushed the thoughts away and did the dishes. A moment later, the front door opened and Meaghan walked in.
Chapter 9
Chase woke up in the middle of the night. Meaghan was awake, staring up at the ceiling. She must have gotten out of bed at some point. She had a robe on. The waistband was tied tightly around her waist, and she fiddled with the knot nervously. Chase turned toward her.
“Can’t sleep?” he asked.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I keep feeling something bad is about to happen.”
“Now you’re the one worrying too much,” he said, kissing her cheek. He moved closer, and tugged on the sleeve of her robe. “Take this off.”
She stood up and removed it, coming back to bed the way he liked her—naked. She turned to face him.
“Are you sure everything is okay at work?” she asked.
He hesitated, wondering whether he should tell her what he suspected. She knew nothing and she was already worried. Telling her would make her even more anxious.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” he mustered, hoping she wouldn’t press the issue further.
He lifted the sheet and dropped his gaze to her breasts, down to her flat stomach, and as far down her legs that the raised sheets revealed.
“I know how to help you get back to sleep,” he whispered in a deep voice.
He did not want their pillow talk to become any more serious. Changing the subject was the best option. And he wanted her.
“Show me,” she answered softly, arching her back.
Her hand snaked down to her stomach and her fingers came to rest at the edge of her pussy. She was teasing him too. His mouth fell open and his tongue absentmindedly licked his bottom lip. In seconds, his head was between her thighs.
His breath tickled her wet flesh, making her squirm as he blew against her pussy. She groaned when he pressed kisses up and down her slit, then nipped at the sensitive skin at the top of her inner thighs. He licked her clit.
“Mmmmm.” She ceased talking. There were no questions about where he worked. That was good. And she felt wonderful.
He shifted up her body, His thighs moved between hers and spread her legs farther apart. He kissed each breast tenderly and then licked a path down her belly. When he returned to her clit, he slipped two fingers into her opening. He found an easy rhythm and soon she was bucking her hips, and grinding on his face and hands.
“Have I told you how good you are at that?” Meaghan asked.
“Maybe. I’ve been thinking…” he started, checking to see if she would bring up more questions.
“Let’s not think at a time like this, Chase.”
He looked up and grinned at her, chin resting on her pelvis. “Deal. Now, if you would just be quiet, I can keep going.”
“Mmmmm. Okay, baby.”
Chase pressed two fingers gently against her inner walls, massaging and stroking, preparing her for what was coming. He kept the motion subtle, but she knew he was there. She was already begging him to come inside. He was in no rush. He loved pleasing her. He loved seeing all that desire wash over her, and all the satiated happiness on her face after she came.
Leaving his fingers inside, he moved up the bed and clamped his mouth over her nipple. She writhed at this new sensation. He pumped his fingers in and out and she groaned her reply. He circled his tongue around her nipple, and flicked it back and forth. Then, when she wasn’t expecting it, he suckled hard, feasting at her breast. She arched off the bed, bowing her back.
“Oh God!”
He released her breast and returned to his position on her pelvis. His fingers quickened their pace.
“You feel so good…” she moaned.
He kept up his assault with his fingers, adding a third, and pumping the digits in and out of her slowly. It made her legs tremble with need. He licked at her clit, flicking it back and forth as his nose nuzzled against its hood. She grabbed his hair and pulled his head closer. She was close. Very close. Her hips bucked wildly, and as he looked up to watch the wanton expression on her face, she took over caressing and tweaking her nipples.
“I’m coming,” she cried, her voice somewhere between moaning and sobbing. She ground her hips down on his face, and finally, she let go and shook through her climax. Chase felt her inner walls tighten around his fingers, and her wetness trickled out. He continued licking and stroking her. He felt another wave inside her when she came again. He could barely control himself any more.
“Come inside me, baby,” she called to him, still shaking through her second orgasm.
He moved up the bed and kissed her, all her juices still wet on his chin. She reached her hand down and wrapped it around his hard cock, stroking him gently.
“Fuck me with your cock. I want this inside me.”
“How much do you want it, Meg?” he whispered as he kissed her.
“Oh God. Badly. I want it so bad, baby. Please Chase.”
He rolled toward her and embraced her. “I love it when you beg.”
“Tease…” she groaned and managed a smile.
He moved between her legs and spread them wide.
He reached down and plunged two fingers back into her soaking wet pussy.
“Cock!” she squealed. “I want your cock, baby.”
“Look who’s demanding now,” he joked.
He slid his finger out, gripped his cock at the base, and positioned the head at her opening. She hissed in anticipation, and moved her hips down to help it inside. Holding her hips, he kept her steady and entered her slowly. Her body welcomed him. She was eager. Her channel tightened around his shaft, holding him deep.
She was moving on her own now. It energized his desire. She worked her muscles along his length as he intensified his thrusts. He could feel every hot, wet inch of her, right to the core. When she rotated her pelvis, his cock made it deep into her inner sanctum, where her walls flexed, swelled, and pulsed.
His hands cupped her breasts and his thumbs massaged the nipples. She must have loved the extra sensation. She arched her back, tilted her head to the headboard, and screamed through her climax. Meaghan ground her pussy on his cock in her last orgasmic moments, which sent him to the edge like a slingshot. He panted and growled as sped up, penetrating her harder and faster until he came so hard, he could black out.
Her body stilled when his hot release coated her insides. He moved back beside her, gazing at her peaceful face as he drifted to sleep. There were no more questions.
Chapter 10
Meaghan sat with Debbie, sipping on some random cocktail she’d picked off the menu. It was nice to be in a different restaurant, a different scene, being waited on instead of the other way around. She wasn’t sure she’d want alcohol. The dimmed lights in the island-style bar hid her somber expression. She felt down, but she knew it was mainly exhaustion.
She leaned her head on Debbie’s shoulder, knowing how lucky she was to have such good friends. They’d become closer from working together so many hours. Debbie’s husband had also been going through a difficult depression since losing his job. All the ladies on the serving staff looked out for her, doing what they could to lift her spirits to get through the strain.
“You okay, Debs?” Meaghan asked, raising her voice a bit so they could speak over the tunes from the live band.
“I’m fine.”
“How’s Joey doing?”
“Not great since he got his meds. He doesn’t think it’s a solution. He just wants to find a job.” Debbie shrugged then straightened up, staring into the depths of her drink. “The kids aren't taking it well. It’s harder for them to be around him. I told him he should take whatever job comes up, not just wait for what he’s qualified to do. Maybe I’m being too hard on him.”
“Maybe you are.”
“You don’t think I am, though, do you?” Deb
bie asked, eyeing her intently.
“Not if you keep your mind off someone else.”
“Falling in love with someone is easy. Falling out of love with them…it’s the most difficult thing in the world.”
“Are you talking about your ex?” The cocktail was getting to Meaghan. She had lost track of who Debbie was talking about.
“Yeah. He’s doing much better than Joey is, but I’m not going to leave the father of my children for him.” She didn’t sound so certain. “I really did think I was over him, and now…how can I still be in love with him after all this time? When he left me, he turned my life upside down. He doesn’t have the right to come back as though none of it happened, but for some reason, my heart doesn’t agree with that. My heart is screaming at me to get back with him. My head is telling me to stick with Joey, because we’ve been through a hell of a lot together, and he was there for me when I was alone.”
“Our hearts and our heads are never going to get along, Debs.” While they sat at the bar, she wrapped her arm around her friend, and hugged her. “That’s why I’m having so much trouble. My head is telling me something is going on with Chase, and if we don’t get it in the open, it’ll kill our relationship. My heart is telling me I’m never going to fall in love with someone like that again, because our love is special.”
“There’s a decade between the two of us, Meg. I thought I was too old for all this.”
“There’s no such thing as too old when it comes to love. Is there anything I can do to help?” She sipped her drink.
“Listen. Talk to me about what you’re going through. Things like that really do help.”
“I can do that.” She squeezed Debbie’s hand. “Chase and I…it’s nothing like what you’re going through. The two of us have been friends for our entire lives. I feel we’ll always be friends. But right now he’s hiding something. Something about work, or his mother. I can understand why it’s difficult for him to talk about it, but I feel like we’re both sitting idly by, and putting our lifelong friendship at risk.”
